Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a new obesity-related gene NYGGF4 on the insulin sensitivity and secretory function of adipocytes. METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes transfected with either an empty expression vector (pcDNA3.1; control group) or an NYGGF4 expression vector (NYGGF4-pcDNA3.1) were cultured in vitro and differentiated into the matured adipocytes with the standard insulin plus dexamethasone plus 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine (MDI) induction cocktail. 2-deoxy-D-［3H］ glucose uptake was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Western blot was performed to detect the protein content and translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). The supernatant concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, adiponectin and resistin were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: NYGGF4 over-expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. NYGGF4 over-expression impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation without affecting the total protein content of GLUT4. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, adiponectin and resistin in the culture medium of 3T3-L1 transfected with NYGGF4 were not significantly different from those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: NYGGF4 over-expression impairs the insulin sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through decreasing GLUT4 translocation and had no effects on the secretory function of adipocytes.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (10):846-849］
